Migrant groups welcome suspension of direct hiring memo
Migrants groups welcomed the suspension on Thursday of a memorandum that regulated direct hiring of Filipinos by foreign employers for overseas deployment.
The Manila-based Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA) said that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration's (POEA) move suspending Memorandum Circular 4 is welcomed as overseas Filipino workers would stand to lose with the policy in place.
"The suspension of MC 4 is partly a fruit of an open dialog initiated by migrants and labor groups with POEA recently and the concerted efforts of OFWs in opposing the guidelines," said CMA's executive director Ellene Sana in an interview with GMANews.TV.
"In a dialog with POEA officials on February 7, migrants groups pointed out that MC 4 had been hatched and implemented without the benefit of genuine consultations with OFWs and other stakeholders," Sana said.
She added that RA 8042, Section 2, states that NGOs are partners of the State in the protection of OFWs and in the promotion of their welfare, the State shall cooperate with them in a spirit of trust and mutual respect.
According to her, MC 4 is a flawed policy that resulted from an omission of a crucial part in the process of coming up with a guideline that has far-reaching implications on OFWs and all stakeholders.
We hope that MC 4 failure could serve as a reminder to policymakers that genuine consultation is a vital part in the formulation policies in a democracy, Sana said.
Another Manila-based migrants group was also pleased upon hearing that the memo on direct hiring has been suspended.
"We are happy that the POEA has suspended MC 4 because continued imposition of the policy could lead to more abuse against OFWs, especially the skilled workers, household helpers and all those doing menial jobs," said Fe Nicodemus of the Kapisanan ng mga Kamag-anak at Kapamilya ng mga Migranteng Mangagawang Pilipino, Inc.(Kakammpi).
Kakammpi is directly connected with communities of families of low-end OFWs.
As a people's organization, Kakammpi deals with communities of OFWs and their families. Migrants communities in our areas here in Manila, have expressed opposition to MC 4.
"The main fear of those who are planning to work abroad was the performance and repatriation bonds that POEA demanded from foreign employers because they said they will eventually shoulder the cost ($ 8,000)," Nicodemus said.
According to her, MC 4 is an ill-defined policy resulting from a lack of serious study on the intricacies of overseas employment. The policy was formulated without the benefit of consultations.
But the militant Migrante-Middle East chapter wanted no less than total withdrawal of the memorandum on direct hiring, as well as the POEA guidelines in the recruitment of land-based workers and in the deployment of household service workers.
“OFWs demand is clear and that is total scrapping, not just suspension of its implementation. Anytime, they can easily re-impose it once OFWs’ indignation against MC-04 has subsided. But we will be on guard," Migrante’s John L.C. Monterona said.
“The likes of Secretary Brion and POEA Administrator Baldoz can’t anymore be trusted like their boss(es) in Malacanang who are used to make lies and promises of genuine programs that will ensure the protection of OFWs rights and advance of their welfare," he added. - Luis Gorgonio, GMANews.TV
The Manila-based Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA) said that the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration's (POEA) move suspending Memorandum Circular 4 is welcomed as overseas Filipino workers would stand to lose with the policy in place.
"The suspension of MC 4 is partly a fruit of an open dialog initiated by migrants and labor groups with POEA recently and the concerted efforts of OFWs in opposing the guidelines," said CMA's executive director Ellene Sana in an interview with GMANews.TV.
"In a dialog with POEA officials on February 7, migrants groups pointed out that MC 4 had been hatched and implemented without the benefit of genuine consultations with OFWs and other stakeholders," Sana said.
She added that RA 8042, Section 2, states that NGOs are partners of the State in the protection of OFWs and in the promotion of their welfare, the State shall cooperate with them in a spirit of trust and mutual respect.
According to her, MC 4 is a flawed policy that resulted from an omission of a crucial part in the process of coming up with a guideline that has far-reaching implications on OFWs and all stakeholders.
We hope that MC 4 failure could serve as a reminder to policymakers that genuine consultation is a vital part in the formulation policies in a democracy, Sana said.
Another Manila-based migrants group was also pleased upon hearing that the memo on direct hiring has been suspended.
"We are happy that the POEA has suspended MC 4 because continued imposition of the policy could lead to more abuse against OFWs, especially the skilled workers, household helpers and all those doing menial jobs," said Fe Nicodemus of the Kapisanan ng mga Kamag-anak at Kapamilya ng mga Migranteng Mangagawang Pilipino, Inc.(Kakammpi).
Kakammpi is directly connected with communities of families of low-end OFWs.
As a people's organization, Kakammpi deals with communities of OFWs and their families. Migrants communities in our areas here in Manila, have expressed opposition to MC 4.
"The main fear of those who are planning to work abroad was the performance and repatriation bonds that POEA demanded from foreign employers because they said they will eventually shoulder the cost ($ 8,000)," Nicodemus said.
According to her, MC 4 is an ill-defined policy resulting from a lack of serious study on the intricacies of overseas employment. The policy was formulated without the benefit of consultations.
But the militant Migrante-Middle East chapter wanted no less than total withdrawal of the memorandum on direct hiring, as well as the POEA guidelines in the recruitment of land-based workers and in the deployment of household service workers.
“OFWs demand is clear and that is total scrapping, not just suspension of its implementation. Anytime, they can easily re-impose it once OFWs’ indignation against MC-04 has subsided. But we will be on guard," Migrante’s John L.C. Monterona said.
“The likes of Secretary Brion and POEA Administrator Baldoz can’t anymore be trusted like their boss(es) in Malacanang who are used to make lies and promises of genuine programs that will ensure the protection of OFWs rights and advance of their welfare," he added. - Luis Gorgonio, GMANews.TV
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